We met at the finish line

On November 5, 2011, my son Chad and I ran a 1/2 marathon.  It was my first--his second.  We were so incredibly excited as we waited in the dark that early Saturday morning for the gun to go off and the race to start. 

Runners in large races stand with other people that run about the same pace.  It theoretically helps the race to get going smoothly, so when it got close to the start, Chad said, "Mom, I'm going to go stand up a little closer to my group (which is race speak for 'I'm a little faster than you, so I'm going to move up to the front!'). 

I gave him a hug and said, "I'll see you at the finish line."

Two hours and twenty seven minutes later I found Chad there waiting for me.  What a happy reunion that was!  I was so thankful that I ran those 13.1 miles.  I didn't give up; I pressed forward to the mark. I persevered!

We made it to the finish line!

I couldn't help but think of the spiritual parallel.  We born again Christians are all running a race in this life.  We will all make it to the finish line in Heaven, and unless we are raptured, we won't all get there at the same time.

Until my race ends, I have a great cloud of witnesses waiting for me at the finish line.  They are cheering me on and encouraging me to "run with patience" my race.

Who is waiting for you at the finish line?  Won't that be a wonderful reunion day?